Pulmonary Biospecimen Repository

Introduction

Respiratory diseases are the third leading cause of death worldwide, significantly impacting global healthcare costs. The urgent need for advancement in clinical and translational research—especially highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic—has been recognized by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). They emphasize the importance of establishing biorepositories to support such efforts.

To address this critical need, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) has established the Pulmonary Biospecimen Repository. This repository aims to foster groundbreaking research in both acute and chronic pulmonary conditions, including:

  • Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

  • Viral and bacterial respiratory illnesses (e.g., COVID-19, influenza, ventilator-associated pneumonia)

  • Pulmonary fibrosis

  • Interstitial lung disease

About the Repository

Our repository collects bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and other pulmonary pathology samples obtained during clinically indicated bronchoscopies at OHSU. By providing access to high-quality biospecimens linked with comprehensive clinical data, we aim to:

  1. Advance Research: Support clinical, translational, and basic science research across multiple departments and schools.

  2. Foster Collaboration: Encourage interdisciplinary partnerships within OHSU and with external institutions.

  3. Improve Patient Outcomes: Contribute to the development of new diagnostics, treatments, and understanding of pulmonary diseases.

Specific Aims

1. Create a Comprehensive Biorepository

  • Goal: Enroll 100 subjects in the first year.

  • Focus: Collect samples from both inpatient and outpatient settings.

  • Control Samples: Prioritize up to 50 subjects without infectious or inflammatory indications to establish control BAL fluid samples valuable for various studies.

2. Integrate Clinical Data

  • Establish a secure, coded database linking biospecimens with key demographic and clinical information.

  • Collect data on medical history, lab values, imaging, bronchoscopy findings, and more.

3. Ensure Sustainability

  • Make the repository self-sustaining by incorporating costs into investigator grants through the provision of samples.

Steering Committee

The repository is supervised by a multidisciplinary steering committee comprising faculty from:

  • Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine — Dr. Akram Khan

  • Infectious Diseases — Dr. William Messer

  • Pathology — Dr. David Sauer

Our team brings extensive experience in sample collection, biorepository management, and collaborative research.

How to Collaborate

Researchers interested in utilizing the Pulmonary Biospecimen Repository are encouraged to follow these steps:

  1. Contact Us: Reach out to khana@ohsu.edu discuss your research interests and needs.

  2. Proposal Submission: Submit a proposal to our steering committee detailing your project.

  3. IRB Approval: Obtain the necessary Institutional Review Board approvals.

  4. Access Samples: Upon approval, receive access to the biospecimens and associated data.

Priority is given to pilot studies aiming to generate preliminary data for new grant applications. Our goal is to support innovative research that can lead to significant advancements in pulmonary health.

Benefits of Collaboration

Access to High-Quality Samples: Obtain well-characterized BAL fluid and pulmonary tissue samples.

  • Comprehensive Data: Leverage linked clinical and imaging data for robust analyses.

  • Interdisciplinary Support: Collaborate with experts across various fields.

  • Grant Opportunities: Use preliminary data to strengthen grant applications.

By collaborating with the OHSU Pulmonary Biospecimen Repository, you contribute to vital research that can transform the understanding and treatment of pulmonary diseases worldwide.

References

  1. Prevalence and attributable health burden of chronic respiratory diseases, 1990-2017. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. 2020;8(6):585-596.

  2. Austin ED, Kawut SM, Gladwin MT, Abman SH. Pulmonary hypertension: NHLBI Workshop on the Primary Prevention of Chronic Lung Diseases. Annals of the American Thoracic Society. 2014;11(Suppl 3)

  3. Blackwell TS, Tager AM, Borok Z, et al. Future directions in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis research. An NHLBI workshop report. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2014;189(2):214-222.

  4. Ginde AA, Brower RG, Caterino JM, et al. Early High-Dose Vitamin D₃ for Critically Ill, Vitamin D-Deficient Patients. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2019;381(26):2529-2540.

  5. Moss M, Huang DT, Brower RG, et al. Early Neuromuscular Blockade in the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2019;380(21):1997-2008.

  6. Bates TA, Weinstein JB, Farley SE, Leier HC, Messer WB, Tafesse FG. Cross-reactivity of SARS-CoV structural protein antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. bioRxiv. 2020.